Local Issues

RACC’s local advocacy efforts help inform budgets and policies in the City of Portland, Metro, and Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington Counties. RACC is funded by all five of these jurisdictions and there are a variety of ways that our constituents can encourage public support for art and culture in the tri-county Portland region.

The first Art Spark of 2018 is here!!! Join us for another evening of education and celebration as we share space with Orí Gallery, UNA Gallery, and Portland Open Studios (celebrating their 20 year anniversary!!). This February, Art Spark is trying something NEW and will raise funds for these amazing organizations and the important work […]

by Jeff Hawthorne, the interim executive director of the Regional Arts & Culture Council. Published in The Oregonian on October 8, 2017. The arts tax is supported by Portland taxpayers because it benefits Portland’s public school students, yields economic dividends and makes our community better. The Oregonian/OregonLive’s recent editorial, “Portland’s arts tax should go back […]

October’s installment will take place at Toffee Club, 1006 SE Hawthorne Blvd, on October 19th from 6-8 PM. For this event we will pair with RACC’s Arts Education Department, including The Right Brain Initiative, to focus on resources for artists engaged in youth mentorship and passing on knowledge for the future success of our community. […]

Art Spark is back the evening of of July 21st, 6-9 p.m. Join us for another evening of education and celebration. This time we will be located at Disjecta Contemporary Arts Center (8371 N Interstate Ave​) for an indoor/outdoor event. Enjoy the summer vibes and learn about community partners DUG (Deep Underground), Just Seeds, and more! Connect […]

A new study reveals that the nonprofit arts industry in the Portland tri-county region also supports 11,505 full-time jobs and returns more than $27 million in revenue to state and local coffers PORTLAND, ORE – The nonprofit arts and culture sector in Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington counties generated more than $330 million in annual economic […]

A new study reveals that the nonprofit arts and culture industry in Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington counties is an economic driver, resulting in $330 million of annual activity, supporting 11,505 full-time jobs and returning more than $27 million in revenue to state and local coffers. The study, Arts & Economic Prosperity 5, was released by […]

I spoke with a colleague the other day who works at the National Endowment for the Arts where people are soldiering on every day not knowing whether or not they have a future there. I am reminded of how lucky we are here in the Portland region that support for RACC, and all the artists, […]

On March 1, 2017 RACC celebrated the 2016-17 Art of Leadership cohort with a graduation reception sponsored by Columbia Trust Company. This year’s cohort participated in six half-day workshops from October through March, helping participants become board members for local nonprofit arts organizations. The series covers topics from finances to fundraising, strategic development to legal […]

The Citizens Oversight Committee is dedicated to supporting arts teachers and arts organizations throughout Portland and they need new members from every area of the city! The purpose of the Citizens Oversight Committee: Review the disbursements and outcomes of the Arts Education & Access Fund Oversee measures of effectiveness of the funding Annually report findings […]

Nonprofit Advocacy: Now More Important than Ever Before Join Jim White, Executive Director of NAO, for an informative discussion on the importance of nonprofits and projecting your policy voice in the current political climate. At this workshop participants will leave with and understanding of: Advocacy vs. Lobbying The politicization of the nonprofit status (including how […]

What happens when you mix one Mexican Folkloric dance troupe, three inspirational acts of collaboration, surgeons who formed an 80s cover band, and Commissioner Chloe Eudaly? Add one giant light-bulb with feet and you get an event called, “Juice.” On Wednesday, February 8, over 350 arts supporters and practitioners will participate in RACC’s Juice: Fueling […]

PICA will host the first in a series of workshops on organizing, safety, and protest to encourage the resistance to the Trump regime. Artist organized by: Julie Perini, Sharita Towne, Ryan Pierce, Jodi Darby, Erin Yanke, Roger Peet, Amy Harwood, Esther Forbyn, Patricia Vazquez, and others. With support from c3:initiative, Mississippi Records, and PICA. First 100 Days […]

RACC’s networking series for artists and arts leaders has been happening and evolving since the spring of 2008. This year, Art Spark will evolve even further as we develop new and interesting events for the arts community to convene and connect beyond the Third Thursday format we have used in the past. Throughout 2017 we […]

The Breakfast of Champions was the perfect place to celebrate the creative “juice” that flows through businesses and the arts alike. So we gave the long-standing event a new name, increased the focus on stories of collaboration, and added the Innovative Partnership Award with a cash prize of $5,000 to the winning nonprofit. We are […]

By Nick Fish, Portland City Commissioner Imagine Portland with no art. No paintings or murals. No Lee Kelly sculptures. No Grimm or Wild or Live Wire. No Jefferson Dancers, symphony and opera in our parks, or production of Our Town. No Mel Brown Quartet. Would you still choose to live here? Fortunately, art, culture and […]

In March 2016, RACC distributed a questionnaire to all official candidates for Portland Mayor and City Council during the spring primary. The questions were: (1) In what specific ways have you supported arts and culture in Portland? (2) Artists and arts organizations add measurable value to our region’s economy, our education system and our quality […]

On June 30, RACC concluded its tenth annual Work for Art campaign. And while it will take a few more weeks to count and confirm all of this year’s campaign contributions, one thing is certain: the 2015-16 fundraising drive will break all records for participation and revenue. Ten years ago Work for Art burst onto […]

The Arts Education and Access Citizen Oversight Committee will deliver its annual presentation to Portland City Council on Thursday, June 16 at 2 p.m. The public is welcome to come hear how the arts tax is making a difference in our community. https://www.portlandoregon.gov/revenue/article/579356.

Seven employee bands competed in Work for Art’s first annual Battle of the Bands, which drew more than 400 music fans to the Crystal Ballroom on Thursday, May 12. Celebrity judges Christopher Brown, Steve Pringle and Rindy Ross awarded the top prize – best company band – to Pencil Skirt Paula and The Straight Edge […]